VoIP Location Tracking via SIP and CPE
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
VoIP service providers face challenges in determining the physical location of customers for emergency services, as existing systems restrict access to known service addresses, leading to service suspension when accessed from different locations, and lack accurate location-based service delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) devices to determine geographical coordinates using GPS or similar systems, which are then included in Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages to update location information in a Location Information Server database, enabling E911 services without service disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If VoIP service access is restricted to known service addresses, then emergency service accuracy is improved, but service availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static location binding to dynamic location tracking. The Location Information Server continuously updates customer location data received from CPE devices via SIP messages, allowing the system to adapt to mobile customers while maintaining emergency service accuracy through real-time location information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where CPE devices continuously report location information to the Location Information Server, which then updates the customer's location data. This feedback loop enables the system to track mobile customers and maintain accurate emergency service routing without restricting service access.
2Reliability
If service access is suspended when accessed from unknown locations, then emergency service reliability is improved, but customer convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary location determination by receiving and processing location information from CPE devices before emergency calls are needed. The Location Information Server pre-updates location data in the database, ensuring that when emergency services are needed, accurate location information is already available without requiring service suspension.
Solution Approach 2:
The Location Information Server acts as an intermediary between the customer's CPE device and the emergency services. It receives location data from the CPE, validates it, updates the database, and ensures emergency services receive accurate location information, thereby maintaining both reliability and convenience.
3Measurement precision
If location information is not updated in real-time, then system complexity is reduced, but emergency service accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The Location Information Server performs multiple functions: it receives SIP messages from CPE devices, extracts location information, validates the data, updates the database, and provides location data to emergency services. This multi-functional approach achieves real-time location updates without requiring separate complex systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for determining a physical location of a customer of a network service, e.g., a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service are disclosed. For example, the method receives a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message containing a geographical coordinate data from a Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) device being used by a customer for accessing one or more services. The method retrieves the geographical coordinate data from the SIP message and provides the one or more services to the customer using the geographical coordinate data. In an alternate embodiment, a method and apparatus for sending physical location information are disclosed.